HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/2006 COW agenda
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location:
Mount Prospect Village Hall
50 South Emerson Street
Meeting Date and Time:
Tuesda~ApriI25,2006
7:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
Mayor Irvana K. Wilks
Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer
Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Michaele Skowron
Trustee John Korn Trustee Michael Zadel
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2006
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
IV. VILLAGE-WIDE FACILITIES STUDY - DRAFT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
The 2006 Village Budget contains $100,000 (page 285) for the commissioning of a Village-wide
Facilities Space Needs Study. In the past several years, a number of potential capital facilities
projects have been presented for consideration including the rebuilding of Fire Station 14, relocation
of fire vehicle maintenance facilities to the Public Works facility, administrative space needs for the
Police Department and how those needs may impact the Fire administration offices housed in the
same facility and the feasibility of upgrading the emergency preparedness status of the Public Works
facility (generator) and locating a back-up emergency operations center at the Public Works facility.
Given the potential size, scope and cost of these projects, the Village Board felt that a comprehensive
study of all these projects would provide a strategic planning document that would help to prioritize
these projects and establish a preliminary cost figure for each component part. This planning tool will
then be used to guide future capital improvement and budget decisions.
Attached is a draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) staff is proposing to send out to qualified
architectural and planning firms. The Village Board indicated a desire to review the RFQ document
prior to its official publication. It should be noted that part of the Fire Station 14 project suggests that
the current Station at 2000 East Kensington Road be relocated west of the Canadian National railroad
tracks. The question of location has resulted in feedback from citizens raising concerns about moving
the Fire Station from its present location. The scope of the RFQ does not include any analysis
regarding the relocation of the facility. The RFQ looks only to the space needs of the facility
regardless of its location. Discussion of Station 12's location will come at a later date with due
notice being given to the public. As a courtesy to those residents who have contacted the Village
regarding the location topic, the Fire Chief sent letters apprising these residents of Tuesday evening's
discussion, noted its limited scope and extended an invitation nonetheless if anyone wished to listen
to the discussion. In addition to the attached material, appropriate staff will be on hand to answer
questions and facilitate discussion.
NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A
DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE
VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 50 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT,ILLlNOIS 60056,
847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064.
V. BRIEFING ON AT&T PROJECT L1GHTSPEED
AT&T (formerly SBC) has recently launched a new product initiative, commonly referred to as Project
Lightspeed. Key to this project is the introduction of new services including an Internet Protocol (IP)
based video on demand service and an IP service that bundles satellite TV, caller 10, On-TV, music,
photo-sharing and movie on demand delivered to televisions and stereos through a single converter
box. AT&T has been pressing this upgrade in several Chicagoland and San Franciso area
communities. The AT&T business plan for this product assumes that existing cable customers and
communities would welcome competition in order to reduce consumer prices. To date, AT&T has not
attempted to introduce Project Lightspeed into Mount Prospect. As a reference point, Mount Prospect
is already served by two cable companies, Com cast and Wide Open West.
The concept of expanding consumer choice and generating competition would be of benefit to
customers both with regard to price and scope of service. However, Chicagoland municipalities are
concerned that AT&T is taking the position that Project Lightspeed is a simple upgrade of their
existing telephone infrastructure and, therefore, does not require a separate Franchise Agreement
with the host community as is currently required of more traditional cable television providers. Mount
Prospect has Franchise Agreements with both Comcast and AT&T. Instead of a Franchise
Agreement, AT&T has offered to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) that provide
payments to municipalities similar to Franchise Fees paid by traditional cable providers. Those
Chicagoland municipalities who have been approached by AT&T are taking the position that a
Franchise Agreement 12 required. In response, AT&T has initiated litigation with a number of these
municipalities. Additionally, there are also concerns regarding certain requirements of the Project
Lightspeed infrastructure build-out that requires rather large controller boxes placed at frequent
intervals in public right-of-way.
While Mount Prospect has not yet been contacted by AT&T regarding Project Lightspeed, there are
several concerns that the Village Board and staff should discuss prior to said contact so that a
comprehensive response can be developed whereby the Village's best interests are protected. The
attached information package provides an overview of Project Lightspeed and issues of concern to
municipalities. Appropriate staff will be on hand to facilitate discussion and answer questions.
VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION
PROPERTY ACQUISITION
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5). "The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body."